Tales of the Old World 10

<Tales_GM> The year is 2512 on the Imperial Calendar...
<Seig> Seig spent a week sleuthing around before coming down with a terrible case of the shits. A significant portion of his funds were spent fighting the flux with the hiring of a specialist doctor alot of blood and excrement later he successfully recovers.
<Afrock> Afrock commissioned a greatsword fought for pennies and had a favor called in by an old contact.
* Shivva_Runna hid away his money while continuing to rob the local graves and any 'lost' bodies. Selling them to his usual supplies. He made his offerings to Ranald while spending some of his legitimate gold on supplies.
<Thorek> Thorek Damnazeki, newly minted Bounty Hunter of the Ubersreik Guild of Bounty Hunters spent his month on a mix of things. First of which was opening an account with the local bank to invest his saved funds from his most recent adventure. Then came the task of flexing his new bounty muscle, spending a practically a week bringing in several bounties. Including a minor gangleader, a counterfeiter and an outlaw from Altdorf wanted
<Thorek> for a half a dozen murders. That last bounty in fact force Thorek to consider hiring someone to train his instincts and reaction speed. Overall not a bad month.
* Far_Foririan spends his first week meeting up with local Elves in the city as part of his culture since it has been a while since the last time he communed with them due to his travels with Afrock. He tries to explain about his studies on the dwarfs but most seem to question his reasoning. During his conversation a few elves take interest in his more resent tales of run close run ins with magic and decided to guide him in the
* Far_Foririan direction of magic. He is then directed to local Elvan mage who he takes a interest in the Lore of Light type magic's, spending time learning about the magic spells of the Light he begins his path to becoming a Elven mage.
* Roderick spends the month in training and contemplation, preparing his body and mind to combat the vile heresy and corruption that plagues the Empire. With a renewed faith in Sigmar, Roderick and his new comrade, an initiate of the Sigmarite Cult of Altdorf, prepare to set out and make a journey to the capital to return the Golden Idol of Sigmar to it's proper place.
<Tales_GM> By all accounts an eventful month thus passes, and the party reconvenes for a round (or five) of drinks at the Exploding Pig tavern in the Merchant's Quarter. The establishment, so-named after an accident in Dawihafen involving an abattoir and an armory that left the town smelling of bacon for days, is a roudy locale popular with merchants, traders, local burghers, and the occasional
<Tales_GM> visiting farmers.
* Thorek is enjoying a nice big flagon of Bugman's as he recounts his tales of his most recent excursions in his official trade.
<Tales_GM> Its boisterous landlord, Hanno Rader, laughs heartily as he sets down a plate of dried beef on your table. Known for his support of the Burgomesiter's efforts to secure Freiburg Status for Ubersreik -granting it the status of "free city"- he has earned the disdain of locals still loyal to the Jungrfreuds, yet welcomes the sight of the apparently Altdorf-aligned group before him; the
<Tales_GM> bounty-hunter who brought in the now hanged and rotting Steiger, the newest initiate of Lord Wittenheim, and the respectful figure representing the Sigmarite Cult of Altdorf.
<Roderick> "Glad to see you've been having a fine time with your new profession Thorek. My adventure lays ahead of me it seems." Roderick gestures at the Sigmarite priest. "Kruger Laut, motley band. Motley band, Kruger Laut, respectable Sigmarite."
<Tales_GM> "Sigmar's blessings," the priest says with a nod of the head.
<Seig> "Lucky sods, I was bed bound for much of the past month, barely got my affairs in order before we met up today."
<Thorek> The dwarf chuckles after another long gulp of ale. "My my Roderick. I'd never have thought we'd see you so reformed. Sigmar's a respectable enough fellow. I still hear stories of my ancestors fighting at his side many generations ago." He drinks more before settling his eyes on the younger man. "You made of tough stuff lad?"
<Tales_GM> "Nothing quite so tough as the Dawi-folk," he replies.
* Shivva_Runna follows behinds Roderick in his unwashed clothes, smelling of watered down ale and dirt.
* Afrock continuously drinks his ale and says with glee, "Hopefully you can take a hit better than you can drink."
* Far_Foririan sips some of the wine he has as he sits at the table with the group. "Glad all things worked out for you Roderick, as well as you as well Thorek, I look forward to adding more my notes I have."
<Roderick> "That's shite luck there Seig. Gotta be more carful whose bed you lie in." Then turning to Shivva. "And you need a bath mate, you been drinking and sleeping in a ditch for a month?"
<Seig> "I might be imagining it but I think I might still smell some of the troll on you."
<Thorek> "Ohhhh come now umgi, your faith will make you as tough as a stubborn nail." He looks to Seig. "Rotten luck my friend. Glad to see you back on your feet."
<Shivva_Runna> "In matter of speaking, Boss. Yea..."
<Afrock> "You diggin again?"
<Shivva_Runna> "Nope."
<Roderick> "As for you Far I hear Inquisitor Wittenheim is pretty upset with ya." Roderick chuckles a bit at that.
<Roderick> "Then you get a bath mate, we can talk about your exploits after you don't smell like old troll feet and stale ale alright?"
<Afrock> "I second that."
* Far_Foririan nods, "Yes, he was not happy with the book that I had on me."
<Thorek> "Still on about studying dawi, eh Elgi?" He asks with a raised eyebrow as he finishes his flagon and letting out a sigh of relief. Proper drink that.
* Roderick glances at Afrock and pauses before speaking. "I thought you liked the smell of those things mate."
<Afrock> "Trolls make great trophies, but smell awful no matter what."
<Seig> "Actually Thorek, something you might know... I don't suppose there's any bounties for any other of the old Jungfreud rulers."
<Far_Foririan> "Yes I do plan to keep on my studies of Dwarfs but with the events we incoutered at that tavern I recently came into contact with a Elven mage who has been consulting me in official magics though they may differ from the magics from the human colleges I plan on working towards my official license."
<Afrock> "Aye?"
<Shivva_Runna> "Gonna have to head down a river then."
<Afrock> "Grasp your dagger tightly."
<Afrock> "And watch your back."
* Shivva_Runna heads out thru doors to wash up at the a river bank. He says "I'll be fine. This ain't prison."
<Thorek> "Pah, elven magicks. Nothing some good runes can't handle." He says in response before turning back to Seig. "Afraid not Seig. No major bounties of any kind, well at least not involving the Jungfreud nobles. Why do you ask?"
* Seig glances around a little before saying "No particular reason" but explicitly makes the face of somebody who does have a particular reason, "Last one was pretty lucrative is all."
* Shivva_Runna takes awhile to clean himself and his clothes to try and remove the smell.
<Thorek> "Aye." He drags it out as he tries to sus out what the sailor means, and then shrugs before helping himself to some of the dried beef before ordering another flagon of Bugman's.
* Seig unsure if his meaning was conveyed, returns to his drink.
* Far_Foririan takes a moment to ponder over a few notes and then responds to Thorek, "Would be interesting to study your Dwarven runes, not much information I have been able to dig up on those, all though elven knowledge is almost non existent, but that will be for another time once I find time to study some."
<Roderick> "Now I will say that I and Kruger will be making for Altdorf in the morn if we can. Got business there, any of you may join us for the trek should you so wish." Roderick forks a couple pieces of meat at once, skewering them, before forking them in and chewing them down slowly. Giving the others a pause to answer.
<Afrock> "Will there be battle?"
<Thorek> "I wouldn't be the one to ask about that, Foririan. You'd have to speak with a proper runesmith. And you'd have to go to a hold for that...probably not the best idea."
<Seig> "Haven't been able to find any work here recently so I'm not against trying out a new city."
<Far_Foririan> "Yes that will take time either way and something I'm in no rush for," he says to Thorek.
<Roderick> "I imagine so Afrock. Plenty of trouble on the road from here to the capital."
<Afrock> "That and I still owe you 3 gold crowns Roderick."
<Thorek> "Aye, good luck, elgi." He looks to Roderick as his new flagon of Bugman's arrives. He takes a long quaff from his new flagon, and sets it on the table, wiping his beard and moustache with an arm. "To Altdorf? Hmmmm, well Ubersreik has dried up in bounties, and I have heard tales of how great a city it is. Wouldn't mind having a gander at a large umgi city."
* Roderick washes down the dried beef with a swig of ale and beats his chest a bit to get it down.
* Far_Foririan then responds to Roderick, "I would be interested in joining your quest, plus where ever Afrock goes I will go."
* Seig ponders a moment longer "and it'd be quite to change to see some of the larger ships that operate on the riverways there. I'm in."
<Roderick> "That you do slayer." Roderick nods and chuckles a bit. "Alright then if we're all settled on going then we'll need to figure the how, route and supplies."
* Seig ponders a moment longer "and it'd be quite to change to see some of the larger ships that operate on the riverways there. I'm in."
<Afrock> "Aye Umgi."
* Shivva_Runna heads back to the tavern after cleaning up.
<Shivva_Runna> "Boss, I have a problem."
<Roderick> "Welcome back Shivva, smellin like a daisy now!" Roderick's smile turns to a grimace. "What's the problem..."
<Shivva_Runna> "Well, my mother died."
<Afrock> "You have my condolences."
<Shivva_Runna> "It's alright, Afrock. We have stopped speaking to each for many seasons."
<Tales_GM> "Sigmar guide her to his side," the priest says bowing his head.
<Afrock> "So what's real the issue?"
<Roderick> "I didn't even know ya still had a mother mate, that's rough luck that is."
<Roderick> "But I'm guessin there's more to it."
<Seig> "Yeah you don't seem the sort to bother bout family unless it effects number one."
<Shivva_Runna> "Thank you for your words, Priest. But the issue is she had a debt."
<Afrock> "Ah."
<Afrock> "How much?"
<Shivva_Runna> "A debt I can't pay off in Eilhart.. about 40 gold coins."
* Afrock blinks slowly in surprise.
<Tales_GM> "A substantial sum. Your burden is a heavy one."
<Afrock> "That is indeed quite a debt."
<Shivva_Runna> "Now, I don't know how to resolve this debt, but I would at least like to bury her."
<Roderick> "Sigmar's balls! How in shite did she manage that!?!"
<Shivva_Runna> "I haven't a clue."
<Tales_GM> "Don't blaspheme," the priest chastises Roderick.
<Seig> "I can tell you from experience if she needed a doctor in her dying weeks it adds up quick..."
<Afrock> "Well time to get to work."
<Shivva_Runna> "Aye..."
* Roderick glances at Kruger. "You're right, it was a slip of the tongue, shock at my friends state. Now then I don't blame ya for wanting to bury her. Eilhart is mostly on the way to Altdorf so we can stop."
<Afrock> "Debt that large can't be good for your health."
<Thorek> The dwarf lets off a low whistle. "That's a hefty debt, Shivva. You also have my condolences."
<Shivva_Runna> "Them coin collectors be ruthless."
<Seig> "We could attempt to join a caravan as guards, help Shivva start on the debt on the journey, theres no convenient boat routes anyway from here."
<Afrock> "I'd rather not be sent into a river again."
<Thorek> "Aye, better than walking the whole way. Not that I'd be wholly opposed."
<Thorek> He salutes Afrock with his flagon and takes another long swig. "Damned rivers."
<Shivva_Runna> "Any job would be good right about now."
<Roderick> "The only problem I see. Is that we'd need to break from them to make the stop at Eilhart. So we'd need them to be ok with losing their protection partway to the city...that or making a detour."
<Tales_GM> "Forgive me," Kruger speaks up.
<Tales_GM> "But in your brief to Lord Wittenheim, you spoke of the rescue of a Cartak Lines coach, one which you delivered back to its rightful owners."
<Tales_GM> "If I know Sigmar's faithful, and I believe I do, providing its services to a group as worthy as this would be considered a privilege given the circumstances."
<Tales_GM> "Unless, of course, they paid monetary compensation for your valiant deed?"
* Thorek eyes the young sigmarite. "Aye they paid us for returning it as well. That was a fun conversation."
<Roderick> "I suppose you could call it a payment."
<Tales_GM> "I see. Yet perhaps your reputation there could provide an opportunity. The Cartak Lines are owned and operated out of Altdorf, as you may know."
<Seig> "Can't hurt to try."
<Roderick> "Not a bad idea. Let's head over and have a chat."
<Far_Foririan> "Yes also we did save the life of one of the drivers a well."
<Thorek> "Might as well give it a go." He has some more drieg beef and washes it down with the last of his flagon. He releases a thunderous belch before chuckling heartily. "Aye can't beat Bugman's. Right shall we dawri?"
* Roderick pushes back his chair and stands. "Yeah let's go." He moves towards the door.
<Afrock> "Might as well." states and finishes up his ale.
<Tales_GM> A short walk away, the familiar sight of the Cartak Lines coach house is visible from the Exploding Pig tavern.
<Thorek> "Should we lean on our past dealings and your zealous mission, Roderick?"
<Roderick> "That'd be best, may even drive at the sympathy angle. Since Shivva needs to go home and bury his poor dead mum. Sigmar rest her soul."
<Seig> During the walk Seig leans down to whisper to Thorek.
<Thorek> "Grimnir's beard." He breathes. "Well that's mighty interesting."
<Seig> "Doesn't really matter to us now though."
<Thorek> "Yes, but to be fair, it's not really our job to worry about the politics involving the old blood. That's for the occupational forces to worry about. We only were involved initially because there was a bounty to begin with, but it wasn't for a noble, just someone who worked for them."
<Seig> "Knowledge is power though so I might see if I can learn more on our travels."
* Roderick glances suspiciously at Seig and Thorek.
<Tales_GM> Kruger will remember this
<Roderick> "Not plotting my death back there are you two?
<Roderick> "
* Shivva_Runna follows along.
<Seig> "Not currently, will keep you updated on when we get to that."
<Roderick> "See that you do!"
* Afrock chuckles steadily.
<Thorek> "Hah, I see your humor has improved since you started learning under that witch hunter."
<Tales_GM> "Lord Wittenheim is known for his sense of humor," the priest joins in the jest.
<Roderick> "I've always had a sense of humor Thorek you've just now started to appreciate it!"
* Roderick gets a serious look on face before he realizes Kruger is joking at which point he starts laughing himself.
<Roderick> "You got me Kruger!"
* Thorek only chuckles heartily in response to the both of them.
<Afrock> "That's some good shite Umgi."
<Tales_GM> Your arrival is met by the same coachmaster who received the wagon several weeks ago. He welcomes you, and hears your plea. He offers a coach at half price, to be paid upon arrival to your destination.
* Seig appeals to his faith in Sigmar to get a better rate.
<Tales_GM> Reinforced by the image of a priest and interrogator, the coachmaster agrees on a reduced rate of a single penny per two miles travelled. Striking this agreement, a readied coach is driven forward, the short young man serving as its driver jumping off his seat to open the side doors for you.